Bass Amendment to Preserve Medicare Passes Committee
Press Release
The House Energy and Commerce Committee today passed an amendment offered by Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) that ensures the Committee will oppose any plans that end Medicare and will work on proposals to preserve the program and save it from bankruptcy in 2024.
Bass' amendment, which passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 28-0 with nine voting present, was offered to the Committee's Semi-Annual Committee Activity Report, which summaries the Committee's recent work and provides a transparent and accountable review of the Committee's future plans.
Bass said:
"My amendment ensures the Committee will oppose any plan that attempts to end Medicare, stresses our commitment to not changing benefits for those 55 and older, and ensures that we will seek solutions to protect the program for future generations. Doing nothing to protect and preserve the program is not an option, as some on the other side of the aisle may believe.
"The Medicare program is facing serious challenges. The Medicare Trustees, an independent and nonpartisan group, has forecasted that Medicare will be bankrupt by 2024. And under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Medicare will be allowed to go bankrupt and seniors' health care decisions will be left to an unelected board of bureaucrats who will decide how to reduce expenditures for the program through the rationing of care. This Committee is committed to continuing the discussion and finding solutions that ensure Medicare is preserved and protected for current and future retirees."
The House Energy and Commerce Committee, of which Bass is a member, has primary jurisdiction over Medicare Part B and D.
The text of Bass' amendment follows:
"The Committee will recommend opposition to proposals that result in ending Medicare. The Committee will also recommend support for proposals to repeal provisions that provide an unelected, 15-member body to ration care for those 55 and older, and will recommend proposals to ensure that Medicare does not go bankrupt in 2024."
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